‘You can’t do that. You’re the MC.’
‘Just you watch me,’ he said as he raced up the stairs.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The ball was being held at a posh Cheshire golf resort and spa. As their taxi made its way through the sandstone archway and up the driveway to the main building, Anna felt as though a whole barrage of butterflies were fluttering about in her stomach. She gaped in awe as the taxi stopped in front of another, larger, sandstone building. A number of expensive cars were parking up, out of which stepped amazingly glamorous men and women, all dressed in a concoction of white.
‘I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb.’ Anna’s throat was suddenly dry.
‘Because you’re going to be the most beautiful woman here and I’m proud to have you on my arm,’ Daniel replied.
‘Cringe.’ She laughed shakily at him. ‘But you’re going to have to stick by my side all night and defend me. Tonight you’re going to have to be my knight in black armour.’
‘I won’t let you down.’ He kissed her on the cheek.
‘You’d better not.’ She gritted her teeth, getting out of the car as gracefully as she could.
* * *
Daniel took her arm, leading her up the stone steps and into the foyer, which was decorated with so many pedestals of white roses that it looked like the inside of a florist’s. Anna felt growing fear, aware of the curious glances being cast their way as they walked into the large reception room.
‘This is a disaster,’ she muttered to Daniel. ‘Look at the way they’re staring at us. I feel like a freak.’
‘Take a deep breath and hold your head up high. Most of all, remember you look stunning.’
And then Lucinda was coming forward to greet them.
‘Daniel, darling, so good to see you, but why are you in black?’ She glanced swiftly at Anna. ‘Did you not get the dress code?’
‘Well I didn’t, although you could have let me know last night, when I told you I was wearing a black dress.’ Anna swore she saw a slight smile on Lucinda’s lips, but only for a brief second.
Instantly Lucinda sounded contrite. ‘Oh, no, I’m so sorry. I thought Daniel would have told you.’
‘He forgot, which is why he’s wearing black too, in solidarity.’
‘Really?’ She looked back to Daniel. ‘But you’re the MC. I really think—’
He interrupted her. ‘If Anna’s wearing black then so will I. And if that doesn’t suit, then maybe you’d like to find a replacement for me?’
‘No, no of course not. Don’t be like that Danny.’ She glared at Anna and put a hand proprietorially on Daniel’s arm. ‘Could I borrow you for a minute?’
Danny?Anna had never heard anyone call him that before. Inwardly she groaned. So this was what it was going to be like. Lucinda grabbing what she wanted and Anna left high and dry. She wished she’d stayed at Daniel’s house after all. But Daniel’s response surprised her.
‘I thought we went through everything last night. That’s why you came round to the house, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes, but I didn’t remember everything. And now we’re in situ so to speak.’
‘All I need is for you to let me know when you want me to start and to provide me with a microphone. But, right now, I’d like to get a drink and introduce Anna to a few people. That’s okay with you, isn’t it?’
‘Of course,’ Lucinda replied, her lips tight. ‘As you wish. Now, I must mingle.’
As she stalked off, Anna turned round to Daniel and whispered, ‘Thank you.’
‘Not a problem,’ Daniel replied. ‘I agreed to MC as a favour and against my better judgement. To be honest, I’m terrified. But Lucinda is taking the role a bit too far. I’m not about to become her puppet.’
‘Glad to hear it,’ Anna replied.
‘Now, how about a drink?’
